A nail-biter for sure
The Buffalo Bills’ 2023 season is in the books but there’s one little thing missing. Illustrations. Let’s pretend last year is an actual book, with each game a chapter. It’s up to us to find one play or “illustration” that best shows us the theme of that chapter.
Make sense? I hope so because we’re about to take a look at some plays and vote. Remember, it’s not necessarily the best play we want, it’s the one that best illustrates...
Chapter 6: Buffalo Bills vs. New York Giants
The downtrodden Buffalo Bills returned to the United States after a loss in London, UK to the Jacksonville Jaguars. To try and get right, they hosted the one-win New York Giants. A tale of two teams, the defense came to play with the offense taking a three-quarter long nap. Finally waking up to put points on the board in the final 15 minutes of regulation, the Bills’ two touchdowns in the closing quarter were enough to squeak out a win.
Shaq Lawson’s TFL (Q1; 12:51)
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The Bills mostly shut down the Giants, allowing only nine points all night. A major factor was holding them to under four yards per carry on the ground. Being unable to convert on 3rd & 1 with the second overall pick of the draft in running back Saquon Barkley is not a good look. These failures may have led to later decisions...
Gabe Davis’ fumble (Q1; 9:31)
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The Bills had punted on their first drive and luckily stopped the Giants. Now on their second possession, Buffalo looked like they may have some momentum. Wide receiver Gabe Davis caught the ball, gained some nice RAC and then this happened. The first of two turnovers, self-inflicted wounds were a major barrier on offense.
Deonte Harty’s TD (Q4; 15:00)
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Check out the time stamp. If you told anyone about a game in which a team’s first score came at the beginning of the fourth quarter, their mind would likely drift toward that team having lost the game. Buffalo’s first touchdown put them only two points behind the Giants thanks to the Bills’ defense holding strong the first three quarters. Making this even more special is that it was Deonte Harty’s sole touchdown of the season.
Quintin Morris’ TD (Q4; 3:55)
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The Bills’ defense continued to ward off the Giants’ offense. Buffalo’s second score put them ahead with very little time to play. Making this even more special is that it was Quintin Morris’ only touchdown of the season.
Terrel Bernard’s DPI (Q4; 0:02)
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Buffalo had gotten a stop after the Morris touchdown, allowing a single yard on four tries. The offense sputtered and failed to put more points on the board to bury the Giants. The Giants put together a great series, and with time set to expire failed to score. A small, yellow cloth took that moment of victory away from Buffalo and gave the Giants a free play. After an otherwise stellar performance, Buffalo’s defense was seemingly about to cost them.
Taron Johnson’s pass defense (Q4; 0:00)
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With their free play, quarterback Tyrod Taylor tossed this ball high to tight end Darren Waller. Not trusting the ground game to get a yard, they took to the air. Cornerback Taron Johnson was on Waller like glue, which forced Taylor to go high and ultimately out of reach.